The diagnostic value of ultrasonography in 342 suspected cases of ectopic pregnancy

The value of ultrasonography as a diagnostic or screening tool is studied in 342 cases of potential ectopic pregnancy. Ultrasonography was used as a diagnostic technique when the echopattern was clear enough to pose a diagnosis of ectopic or non-ectopic pregnancy, including intra-uterine pregnancy, abortion or other pelvic abnormalities. Diagnosis was possible in 77 per cent of the examined patients, with 95 per cent correct diagnosis, 2 per cent false positives and 3 per cent false negatives. For ultrasonography simply as a screening technique whatever the echopattern might be, i.e. in all cases, 78 per cent were selected correctly, with 20 per cent false positives and 2 per cent false negatives. The high quality of the ultrasonic data, combined with the relative absence of the disadvantages of roentgen-rays and invasive techniques, makes ultrasonography the first examination of choice in cases of clinical suspicion of ectopic pregnancy.